31 tribal nations converge to sing, dance

About 225 American Indian dancers and drummers in vivid regalia representing 31 tribal nations are expected at the 15th annual United San Antonio Pow Wow in the San Antonio Shrine Auditorium this weekend.

Today's and Sunday's events represent the city's largest powwow, a modern tribal tradition born from the rise of American Indians living off of reservations and in U.S. urban centers.

While similar tribal gatherings once celebrated births, marriages, victories and good hunts, the contemporary powwow has become an intertribal meshing of song, dance and culinary traditions, said Erwin J. De Luna, president of United San Antonio Pow Wow.

“This particular program will provide to Indians and non-Indians the opportunity to view and participate in Native American culture, dance and song,” he said.

The nonprofit group puts on three smaller powwows every year. One is during Fiesta and the other two are during Native American Heritage Month in November — at St. Mary's University and Fort Sam Houston.

This weekend's events will draw dancers and drummers from tribes such as the Navajo, Osage, Cherokee, Ponca, Apache, Blackfeet and Comanche nations. The majority of participants are from Oklahoma, South Dakota, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas.

Members of the federally recognized Alabama-Coushatta and Kickapoo tribes of Texas are expected, as are Lipan Apaches.

The San Antonio-based Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation, whose members regard themselves as descendants of the indigenous peoples who populated present-day South Texas and Northeast Mexico, also will participate.

De Luna, who is part Taos Pueblo and Navajo, said the powwow is a cultural and spiritual ceremony filled with story and tradition.

“This is the only way a lot of us are able to teach our children our traditions, music, dance styles and foods,” he said.

Ramon Vasquez, executive director of the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, a nonprofit group involved in the event, said the powwow serves another important purpose.

It makes the American Indian population, often “an invisible population” in U.S. cities, more visible, he said. “Our mission is to create awareness of our contributions.”

Events will be led by the Tallchief family of the Osage Nation. Tim Tallchief, whose father served as principal chief of the Osage National Council, will be powwow master of ceremonies, explaining the significance of the dances, songs and drums.

Russ Tallchief, a Native American writer and former museum curator, will serve as powwow head man dancer, and Amy Tallchief, a filmmaker and actress, will be the powwow's head lady. Both are regarded as positions of honor, De Luna said.

Lodean Starr of the Choctaw Nation will be recognized as an honored elder for her work to promote Native American culture.

The USAA retiree is a founding member of United San Antonio Pow Wow.

The grand entry, a procession highlighted by a parade of flags, will start at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. today and 12:30 p.m. Sunday.